The JonBenét Ramsey case is back in the spotlight after DNA experts publicly urged investigators to submit the available crime scene evidence for advanced genetic genealogy testing. They believe the technology could generate significant new leads in the decades-old investigation.
Othram is urging investigators to submit available evidence in the JonBenét case
David Mittelman, CEO of forensic genomics company Othram and a genetic genealogy expert, believes that investigators have a chance to find the person responsible for killing Ramsey.
In a conversation with Radar, he said, “If suitable evidence remains, applying this technology is a fairly straightforward effort that could produce meaningful new leads. Traditional forensic DNA testing requires something to compare the evidence against. Othram’s testing does not depend on a chance database match or a preexisting suspect; we can develop an investigative identity directly from the DNA evidence.”
He added that the DNA evidence available in the Ramsey case appears suitable for this type of testing and said investigators should consider using the approach. Mittelman has previously contributed to several high-profile investigations, including cases involving Bryan Kohberger and Rachel Morin’s killer, Victor Martinez Hernandez.
JonBenét’s father, John Ramsey, has been urging police to submit crime scene DNA to a genealogy lab for testing.
In an interview, John said, “We did know that a number of items from the crime scene were sent in for testing, and a number were not tested. We always kind of wondered why. I mean, items that should have been sampled, but they weren’t.” He also believes that the police have the killer’s DNA, and submitting it to the lab will help resolve the case.
JonBenét Ramsey’s murder remains one of the most high-profile unsolved cases since she was found dead on December 26, 1996. The case has also been part of Netflix’s true crime analysis documentary. The new DNA public plea to use advanced technology has renewed attention on the long-running case.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK ADVANCED DNA TESTING COULD FINALLY HELP SOLVE THE JONBENÉT RAMSEY CASE?
